Planning & Public Affairs

The School of Planning and Public Affairs is committed to admitting a diverse student body and supporting a learning environment in which many values and perspectives contribute to the richness of the educational experience, to the fields of planning, public policy, and public administration, and to the communities in which we we live and work.

 

A red half circle with a white silhouette of a bear with the words West Branch along the bottom

West Branch – West Branch Community School District Policy Briefs

Published
Monday, September 15, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Undergraduate students enrolled in Public Policy and Persuasion will work with the West Branch Community School District to develop policy briefs for issues currently facing the school district. 

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Leveraging Historic Assets for Community Vitality

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Public Affairs graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs will partner with the City of West Branch and other community stakeholders on a multifaceted initiative to optimize the community’s historic assets as a catalyst for economic vitality, tourism development, and enhanced quality of life for residents. 

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Fiscal Policy and Capital Improvement Plan

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Public Affairs graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs will partner with the City of West Branch, a small but growing rural community, to assess and support local fiscal policy, budgeting practices, and capital improvement planning. 

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Housing Needs Assessment and Policy Recommendations

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

School of Planning and Public Affairs graduate students will partner with the City of West Branch to conduct a comprehensive housing needs assessment and develop informed recommendations for local housing policy and programming.

Three red pine trees with a red line evoking a river underlines the word West Branch in black

West Branch – Comprehensive Plan Update

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Urban Regional Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students will partner with the City of West Branch, Iowa to update the city’s long-range comprehensive plan. 

As West Branch experiences gradual population growth and development pressures, city leaders are seeking to proactively plan for the community’s future in a way that balances small-town character with sustainable growth, economic vitality, and quality of life.

A black circular logo with the text Jackson County Economic Development Alliance

Jackson County - Enhancing Inter-Organizational Collaboration

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Public Affairs graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs will partner with the Jackson County Economic Alliance (JCEA), based in Maquoketa, Iowa, to explore strategies for improving coordination and service delivery among key economic development organizations in the county.

Two women pose at the entrance to a park next to a sign that says Eagle Park.

Bondurant - Establishing a "Friends of the Parks" Nonprofit

Published
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Academic year
2025-2026
Partner

Public Affairs graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs will partner with the City of Bondurant, Iowa to support the creation of a "Friends of the Parks" nonprofit organization. 

As Bondurant continues to grow and invest in its parks and recreation system, city leaders recognize the value of a community-based nonprofit that can deepen resident engagement, increase volunteerism, and expand fundraising opportunities to enhance and sustain local parks, trails, and recreational programming.

Two young woman stand side by side. Both have long brown hair and are wearing black tops.

West Burlington Trailhead Park Design

Published
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Two urban & regional graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs worked closely with the West Burlington Trails Committee to design a unique and multi-faceted trailhead park at a prominent community location.

Wonderful Westside Neighborhood group photo

Supporting Iowa City's Wonderful Westside Neighborhood

Published
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Courses from two University of Iowa departments - the Department of Theatre Arts and the School of Planning & Public Affairs - merged to explore the role of arts & culture in community and economic development, with a focus on supporting the launch and visioning for the Wonderful Westside Neighborhood Association in Iowa City.   

group of five young people posing for photo

Pathfinders - Rural Development Policy Briefs

Published
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Students in the course Policy and Persuasion worked with staff from Pathfinders RC&D and the South Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board to develop policy directions for issues related to five focus areas: rural development hubs, innovation, resource guides, workforce development, mental health, and community capacity.

A young man in a yellow hat, dark sweatshirt, and tan pants in a wheelchair on an outdoor dirt path.

Pathfinders - Mapping Accessibility in Iowa’s Cultural Destinations

Published
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

Students from Public Affairs and from a GIS student organization will help Pathfinders RC&D develop a statewide database and map of accessibility features in Iowa's parks, natural areas, and cultural spaces.  

A new statewide initiative from Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) aims to help individuals with disabilities and their caregivers better navigate opportunities to enjoy Iowa’s parks and cultural spaces. 

group pic

West Burlington & Burlington - Arts and Culture Plan

Published
Friday, August 16, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs created the first comprehensive arts and cultural plan for West Burlington and Burlington, communities that share a border and strong sense of collaboration while maintaining distinct identities.